Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

I must say, this was an adventure. I took my 6 year old daughter out today with me. She has really been looking forward to the first time I would take her. I asked her, "can you stay still and quiet for a few hours?". Of course she said, "yes". Then I asked, "Will you gargle with baking soda?". She got a little shakey on that one but finally agreed.
We got out there and were hunting in a brush blind that had a few small pine trees around it. The ground was clean (raked out) so it wasnt noisy. The first 30-45 minutes were great. I pointed out bird and animal sounds, told her about the trees that were around us and identified all the little plants I could. Then it was time to hunt. There were sounds all around and movement starting. She was staying nice and quiet. After about 10 minutes we spotted a doe that was way too far out to get a shot on. Still, this got her very excited. She was watching this doe hoping it would move in closer. Her body was stiff with anticipation... All except her little feet that were rocking back and forth clapping against each other. I couldnt say anything to her about it because she didnt even know she was doing it. She was concentrating and the 6 year old fidgiting kicked in lol. The next 2 hours we sat there doing our best but there was always a nice rythm of noise from the unconscious movements of a 6 year old. I must say, it was very funny when, every 15 minutes or so, she would look up at me and say, "I am doing really good at being still and quiet aren't I daddy?".
I have no regrets. We had little to no chance of getting a deer but the time together, though quiet, was wonderful. When we got back she was very excited about the little hunt. One day we will take a deer together and it will all be worth the wait.
She is good at helping when I gut and butcher our game. I have 2 girls and love every minute of it!!!
Stryker777

One last thing,
When we got home we were still in full garb. Her little mini dacshund was on the porch and there were coyotes yipping in the background. My daughter walked onto the porch and the little dog didnt know who it was or what it was. The dog just whined like she was going to die and went pee on the porch lol.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

my son is 6 also but i havent taken him archery hunting yet, the last two years i would bow hunt in the mornings then take him out small game hunting with me in the afternoon, of course that is when i would see deer ;)

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Sounds like fun!
I was sucessful with my 8 yr old this year. I took my 6 yr old last fri. We didn't see any deer but to my surprize, while walking back he actually said he had fun anyway!
I carry an A-way grunt tube that is not very loud. I tell'em they can use it 2 times every 5 minutes. It keeps them surprisingly entertained.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Yes, I know the feeling. I took my daughter on a practice run at around five years old. It was right in my backyard. We were just scouting no hunting. My wife had to take my son, 2 at the time, around the block for us to slip off. We go down to a ground blind, I set up just like the one above. She last maybe 20 minutes. She was ready to go back up. No problem, I sent her on her way and told her not to return. I heard "yes daddy". It wasn't five mins. and here she comes with her finger to her mouth going shhhhhh. She was leading her brother and our 100# lab down to the ground blind to hunt. You have to just love it.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

I had my brother in a stand when he was 4, we had a doe that walked in and bedded down underneath him. He was mad that I did not let him take his bow - (I bought him one when he was 2) as he could have "taken her easily". that was 18 years ago and we still talk about that!

This year my boy is 3 and he wants to go out big buck hunting with his bow (my brother bought him one when he was 2). I am looking forward to that!

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

I don't have any kids yet, but I hope to enjoy the same type of experiences that you told us about. On the opposite end of the spectrum, I remember very well all the hunting trips with my dad before the end of the first grade. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. She doesn't know it now, but in a few years she will cherish those moments as much as you do. Congrats.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

I went squirrel hunting with my cousin (12) this weekend, it wasn't five minutes before he got bored and wanted to leave. The whole time (about 30 minutes) we were there he kept asking "can we go" and "when are we going". Needless to say we left right when the squirrels were coming out. Never again! His dad can take him ;). I am 20 and I don't have the patience for him lol.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Had taken my 4 year old out last year to 'help' hang stands. And this year we've gone squirrel hunting. Nothing like it, once I showed him deer and turkey tracks, he was all over it. It's funny, he knows he should be quite, but he constantly whispers, and I do mean constantly, hehe. Was going to take him turkey hunting this spring, but the scheduling just didn't work out. Can't wait for next year. He's definately going to hunt. His 5'th birthday is Thursday and his favorite uncle got him a bow! Now to start working on the yougest (4).

The Trashcanman

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

The wife and i just found out we are having a BOY in January. Man i can't wait for my little Hunting buddy to get here. I have a 4 year old stepson that i want to take hunting,but he is still a little wild for the wood's. He shows lots of interest,but we need to work on his quite skill's. :) My 15 year old stepson has already taken his first deer(doe) with a bow,and his uncle video taped his first turkey with a shotgun. I hope to tape him killing a nice buck this year.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

My son is 5 now and I've been taking him squirrel hunting since he was 2. He does real good but Igo easy on him with the whole being quiet thing so I'm wondering how he will do when it comes time to go bowhunting with me and he has to be quiet.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Congrats Ate-UP!!! I wanted a son, but after having 2 girls its not worth the risk lol. Im glad so many are hunting young with their kids. I wont put my kid in a stand yet, but its fun for me to have her there, interested in whats going on and learning.
Stryker777

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

I took my daughter when she was 7. I put her in a lock-on stand that i put up a couple of weeks before. I also asked if she could stay still? and without question she sead yes!;) well we sat there for a couple of hours and then she told me she was cold![:'(] I told her just a little longer. About five minutes went bye when i heard something coming our way? It was a nice four point chassing a doe. She looked down just as the doe past us then the buck ran right up in front of us then stopped. She did very well she did not move at all. I was not going to take him but i thought just for a moment?:eek: Taking a deer with me kid will be a momory that i will never forget. So i drew back and shot hitting the buck right behind the shoulder. After the shot the buck took off running and she yeld out YOU GOT HIM!![&:]:D After a short blood trail there he was. But i could not shut her up for nothing!;) Untill i told her she had to help me drag it out!!:D Well she did and to this day that is one of the greatest memorys i have ever had.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

My oldest son is 8yrs old now, and he went with me when he was six in the opening week of bow season here in ohio, only problem i had is when he would fall asleep..........he would move alot like we all do when we are snoozin. A big doe walked right out in front of us while we was sitting in a dried up creek bed i call the honey hole, and just starts twitchin in his sleep and scared that doe to the next county i couldnt help but laugh at him with the druel on his chin!:D

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Great story that you will re-live for the rest of your life!!!

I'll take my 8 yr old daughter out Saturday for her first squirrel. She is nervous about the 4-10 but we'll see. I'll sit her brother away from us a bit so he doesn't bother her.

Keep up the good work!

Greg

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Took my 8 year old nephew on a three-day backpack elk hunt last year. We hiked in 6 miles and camped and hunted our tails off. He's really a tough kid. The weather was perfect for cotton socks. The hunting part was interesting, we got a bull coming in and I peaked over my shoulder just treasuring the fact he was there to share the experience. When I looked back, he was hiding, not even looking for the bull. I could tell his idea of hiding was, "Please don't let the mean bully see me, he might get me".

We're going to try an antelope hunt this year. That will be a real challenge since those things can read newsprint at 50 miles and see through thin rocks.

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

6, not yet, but my son started shed hunting with me at 18 months... via backpack and then walking with me in the good spots. I even planted a shed for him to find.......man was he stoked!!!! he told his momma all about it for days!

My son rifle hunted with me last fall... Bow nope...hes too little for that. anyway I blew a shot on a big buck ...with Jess sitting right by me... shot right over him... Jess says " goooooood shot daddy..." as the buck runs off untouched...man was that humbling to tell my son....ummm..not a good enough shot Jess... and then I had to explain...how we dont always hit or make the shots ... after checking the bucks tracks in the snow to make sure we didnt hit him... Jess learned alot about following up on a shot and we had a great time together as father and son...

One more quick story...he and I go out elk hunting bulls only.. we sat above a big clear cut for about 2 hours till dark....thats a long sit for a 2.5 year old...anyway its getting dark.... and I say..ok Jess lets hike back up the mountain to the quad.... he says "NO DADDY" we have to stay till dark incase a monster bull comes out! " I about died...thinking man hes trained good !!!! oh well hes dedicated ! Jess does a lot of glassing with me in the summer evenings too.

We walked out in the dark...he on my shoulders... nothing better than sharing that with my son... Hes 3 now and will hunt with me this fall, my 1.5 year old will get introduced to shed hunting this spring ...

Shed

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

I have been taking my young guy out since the age of 5,when its cold he would wrap himself in a blanket and usually fall asleep when the sun breaks the treeline.I took him rifle hunting 2 years ago and we got a decent buck and he was tickled pink,I think he was so happy about the whole thing he was the first one to the deer.But when it cam time to gut him out he was gone,didn't want anything to do with it lol.
I took him bow hunting last year for his first time,made a little to much noise for my liking,but it was all good,we had a great time.
He is 9 now and probably knows more about deer hunting in general then half my friends--lol------He can find scrapes,rubs,the purpose for them and can see a deer track a mile away.
My daughter is 12 this year and she dosn't want to go out with me hunting.I have asked her 100's of times but she dosnt want to see a deer get shot she says.She like the taste of venison and I respect her decision.Maybe someday we can share a stand together but intill then we do other things together.She does like shed hunting(even though we havent found any-lol)And walks in the bush with me and Hunter(my sons name)
I truley love taking my son out with me and he is always the one to ask(dad can i come)and I always say of-course,and I wouldent have it any other way.:)

RE: Ever hunt with a 6 year old?
 

Took my oldest boy last year, he's 8 now but was 7 at the time. I bought a ground blind so we could do this. Darned thng was too small but thats another story.
Anyhow, he promised he'd be quiet & I had a good spot in mind for the blind so we went.
I tried setting up so the deer would go by my window first & I might get a shot after they walked past. Well, didn't work out that way. He was quiet I'll give him that & it was cool watchin the squirrels & chipmonks rootin around. Then a deer came, nice doe, from his side. I watched her come in & couldnt tell him because she was too close, he didnt see her cuz he was lookin where I told him to look & when he turned that way he saw her & let out a "There goes one dad!" that woulda woke the dead. :D He felt kinda bad after she ran off, but think he looks at it as a sort of lesson.
I got a bigger blind this year & he'll be back out with me. ;)